Pano2VR 8.1 Docs / Working with 360º Video Resolutions
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Working with Multiple Video Resolutions

Add multiple resolutions of a video panorama so each browser can choose a version that the device can decode smoothly.

High-resolution video panoramas can exceed the decoding capabilities of phones, tablets, and older computers. Add multiple resolutions to the same panorama node so the web player can choose the highest-resolution source that the device reports as smooth to decode.

Add resolution alternatives

  1. Add the highest-resolution video to the project as the main video panorama.

  2. In Panorama Properties, click the gear beside Alternative File(s) to create a smaller version. The converter defaults to 4K for video panorama alternatives and also offers Original, 8K, 5.7K, 2K, and HD sizes.

  3. Choose an output format. MP4 with H.264 has the broadest browser support. Add a different supported codec as another alternative when needed.

  4. Repeat to create any additional sizes, then arrange the main file and its alternatives from highest to lowest preferred quality.

  5. Create the web output. Pano2VR writes each local source’s codec, dimensions, bitrate, and frame rate to the output. Before loading the video, the player asks the browser which sources the device supports smoothly and chooses the highest-resolution suitable source.

If the browser cannot provide a capability result, the player uses the files in their listed order. Remote files without media metadata also keep this fallback behavior.

★ Tip  The choice is based on the device’s decoding capability rather than screen size. On phones and tablets, the player additionally skips sources larger than 4K — and larger than Full HD on low-end Android devices — since very large videos rarely play back smoothly on mobile hardware.

Streaming adaptation

Resolution alternatives select one complete media file when the video is loaded. They do not switch quality while the video is playing. Use an HLS master playlist when the video must adapt continuously to changing network bandwidth.

See also…

Last modified: Aug 25, 2026